Buying a generator is investing in peace of mind. When disaster strikes or you need off-the-grid power, the right Generac generator is worth its weight in gold. There are three primary kinds of generators — standby, portable, and inverter — andfinding the right one for you is as easy as defining your power needs and weighing the pros and cons of each machine.
Determining Your Generator Needs
Determining your specific energy needs is the first step toward purchasing the right Generac generator. Some generators are permanently hooked to your house, while others can move around with you from place to place. Important things to consider when deciding on the perfect piece of equipment include:
- What you want to power
- Where you need that power
- Fuel type
- Starter type
- Wattage needed
- Connection type
- Price
Balancing all of these considerations will help you ensure you are not overspending or underpreparing with your generator purchase. Whether you want one for peace of mind in an emergency or you need off-the-grid power, there is a generator for you.
3 Types of Generators
After considering how you will use your generator, you can more easily choose the right one for your needs. While most generators work similarly, their finite functions are tailored to their specific uses. There are several differences between standby, portable, and inverter Generac generators.
Standby – best for powering a building in an emergency or power outage
Portable – best for camping, on-the-go activities, and powering tools
Inverter – best for powering and recharging sensitive, battery-operated devices
Why a Standby Generator?
One of the most common uses for generators is to provide backup power in case of an emergency. A high-quality, well-maintained standby Generac generator often translates to well-planned disaster preparedness. You never know when a storm will take out your home’s power, and having a generator at the ready can ensure indoor climate control, save the food in your refrigerator and freezer, and power on any medically necessary equipment.
Why a Portable or Inverter Generator?
Accessing on-site power when camping, at a construction site, working at night, or hosting an outdoor event is an advantage of having a portable or inverter generator. When you cannot connect to the typical power grid, a generator can supply the energy you need to perform the task at hand.
What is a Standby Generator?
When you want to power your home without the hassle of finding your generator in the middle of an emergency, your standby generator is ready to go at a moment’s notice. A standby generator is a permanently installed piece of equipment attached to your house, providing power on demand.
Typically, a standby Generac generator is something you hope you never need but are glad you have when disaster strikes. By hooking directly to your home’s main breaker panel, you can be confident in your power source even when the grid goes down.
How does a Standby Generator Work?
A standby generator’s automatic transfer switch senses when the power goes out and works with the control board to tell the generator to turn on. The generator produces energy for your home until the main power returns and the automatic transfer switch knows to turn the generator off.
With a well-functioning standby generator, you can trust that you’ll have a seamless power transition when the power grid fails. These self-activating functions make standby generators useful whether you’re home or not, giving you peace of mind that your home’s power needs are taken care of at all times.
Benefits of a Standby Generator
If your goal is to power your home in case of a power outage, nothing beats the comfort of knowing your standby Generac generator is ready at a moment’s notice. Once installed, these machines are easy to use because they do most of the work automatically. This is especially important if you are depending on reliable energy for medical equipment.
Not only are they fully automatic because of the generator’s automatic transfer switch and the control board, but they provide more power than portable units. Standby generators have outputs starting at 8,000 watts, which is much more than portable generators. This output only goes up when looking at larger and more advanced standby generators, giving you the flexibility to power as much as you need.
When assessing what you need to power and how long it will need that auxiliary energy, a standby generator may be ideal for a large and long power need.
Disadvantages of a Standby Generator
Of course, there are drawbacks to purchasing a large standby generator. Most of the downsides relate to cost as they are the biggest, most automated generators on the market.
The initial cost of a standby Generac generator will be higher than that of a portable generator because of its size and automatic function. Additionally, many standby generators need to be professionally installed because they attach to your house. This, coupled with the larger amount of fuel needed to make them run, makes a standby generator a more expensive investment.
Like with any generator, improper or neglected maintenance will add to your total cost over time. Generator parts can often be expensive, and some require special installation, so perform regular maintenance and understand your generator’s error codes so you can address issues as they arise.
What is a Portable Generac Generator?
As the name suggests, a portable generator is a smaller piece of equipment that is not permanently installed in or on a building. These moveable generators can be easily taken to different locations and stored away with a dedicated generator storage cover when not in use.
Portable generators are ideal for providing power at locations not connected to the power grid, such as construction sites and sporting events. They are sometimes used for disaster preparedness, although they do not have some of the automatic capabilities of standby generators. Typically, in an emergency situation, portable generators are great for delivering power to an area without other options.
Different sizes of portable Generac generators are ideal for different jobs, making these versatile machines from which you can choose the right fit. There are many levels of power output, meaning there is likely a portable generator to meet your needs.
How Does a Portable Generator Work?
Portable generators use gas-powered engines to provide electricity wherever you need it. Within the engine, the carburetor creates a combustible mixture of fuel and air to power your machine. The engine then works with an alternator to produce electrical power.
By plugging extension cords into your portable Generac generator, you can power tools and appliances in places where you typically would not have access to electricity.
Benefits of a Portable Generator
Portability is not the only advantage of these generators, although their size and movable nature save on overall cost. It can easily be moved wherever it is needed with its convenient wheels. Some generator wheels feature foam filling for increased stability.
Portability plays a part in keeping your initial costs down with these generators. In addition to being able to be moved from place to place, a portable generator does not need to be professionally installed, thus skipping the professional installation fee incurred by standby generators.
Lack of installation isn’t the only cost-saving measure. With smaller generator fuel tanks and generally lighter demands, portable generators use less fuel than their standby counterparts. Overall, when less wattage and more positional flexibility are required, a portable Generac generator is a smart choice.
Disadvantages of a Portable Generator
Of course, there may be situations where a portable generator is not the ideal machine for the job. A portable generator is less powerful than a standby Generac generator, so the ability to power a whole house or provide power for a long time is less likely.
Because portable generators are not permanently attached to a house, they can be harder to use in an emergency. When the lights are out and you are trying to restore power, the last thing you want to do is fumble to get a portable generator out of storage, fueled, and connected to your home.
Portable generators require an engine oil check before each use. This can take time, and you want to have the right generator replacement parts on hand.
What is an Inverter Generator?
Inverter generators can power electronics and home appliances much like traditional portable generators, but they use more advanced technology to burn less fuel and produce cleaner power than their ordinary gas or diesel counterparts. They are generally better suited for delicate electronics such as laptops and medical devices.
While traditional generators are better suited for greater output and longer run times, inverter Generac generators are best for electronics that require a smoother electrical signal. Depending on your needs, if an inverter generator’s power output is enough for your project and the price is right, this might be the best machine for you.
How Does an Inverter Generator Work?
An inverter generator’s cleaner and more fuel-efficient energy is made by creating a 3-phase alternating current (AC) at a high frequency, then turning that into a direct current (DC). Unlike a traditional Generac generator, inverter generators have the technology to convert the DC back into AC, creating a cleaner, more environmentally friendly energy.
Benefits of an Inverter Generator
There are many reasons an inverter Generac generator is an attractive option when purchasing a generator. The protection for sensitive electronics and the lower fuel consumption are often at the top of the list when considering the benefits of an inverter generator. Because the inverter piece puts off cleaner energy, inverter generators are often sought out by people who want to produce fewer emissions and are concerned with the environmental impact of their energy production.
Additionally, these machines are much quieter than their traditional counterparts, making them ideal for camping or other off-grid activities. If the noise of a generator will impede or distract from your end goal, an inverter Generac generator could be the better choice. These machines are also compact and lightweight, making them ideal for on-the-go energy needs.
Disadvantages of an Inverter Generator
The primary disadvantage of an inverter generator is the cost. Because of the advanced technology used for the energy conversion process, inverter generators can be significantly more expensive than traditional generators.
Because of the nature of the energy put out by inverter generators, their power output is typically much less than that of a traditional portable Generac generator. If you need to power large equipment or keep things on for a long time, an inverter generator might not be the best machine for you.
Like with all gas-powered generators, it is unsafe to run an inverter generator inside. Carbon monoxide is a natural by-product of running a generator, and carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious threat when using a generator indoors or in an enclosed location. An inverter generator’s cleaner energy does not mean there is no carbon monoxide, making it just as dangerous to run inside as a traditional generator.
The Importance of Generac Generator Maintenance
After selecting the right generator for your needs, make sure you keep your generator in good working order by completing regular maintenance. Check your Generac generator repair manual to find your equipment’s maintenance info. While each generator type has specific needs, there are a few things you can do with any generator to keep it running well:
- Perform regular maintenance
- Fix issues as soon as they arise
- Use genuine OEM parts
By having the proper Generac generator parts and knowledge of your generator's maintenance, you will be able to ensure your machine will work for years to come.
A generator is not a cheap purchase, but it is worth every penny to have confidence that you have the right power source for your needs. By weighing the pros and cons of each Generac generator, you can choose the right one for your situation. This will ensure your electricity needs are taken care of, giving you the flexibility to get back to work, entertain, or safely stay in your home until the grid comes back up.